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Sport

Maidstone United head coach Hakan Hayrettin puts Dorking bust-up behind him

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 06:00, 20 December 2019

Hakan Hayrettin says Maidstone's touchline row at Dorking is all in the past as the sides prepare to meet again.

Hayrettin and rival manager Marc White were sent off as tempers flared towards the end of United's 3-1 defeat in September.

Maidstone United head coach Hakan Hayrettin Picture: Matthew Walker

Stones head of football John Still was booked for his part in the dust-up which involved virtually every player and both dugouts.

It got out of control after White, objecting to Still's clash with Dorking player Matthew Briggs - who also saw red - squirted water over the veteran boss.

It's done and dusted as far as Hayrettin is concerned and United's head coach will shake White's hand at the Gallagher tomorrow.

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"We're going to have a referee standing in between us!" joked Hayrettin.

"No, as far as I'm concerned it's water under the bridge.

"We believe we acted accordingly in the situation.

"Their manager felt he was antagonised but I believe it was very unprofessional to squirt water over a fellow manager.

"I think that showed a lack of class but it's happened and we move on because we're professional people.

"When I see him I'll treat him no differently to anyone else and I will shake his hand.

Hakan Hayrettin and John Still on the touchline at Dorking earlier this season Picture: Steve Terrell

"Why shouldn't he accept it?

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"We've got to conduct ourselves right."

Maidstone took the lead in the first meeting but were soundly beaten after producing what remains their poorest display this season.

Hayrettin is determined to put things right and get Maidstone's National South play-off bid firing in their final game before Christmas.

"We owe them one," said Hayrettin. "No one likes to lose - I definitely don't - and the manner we lost that day wasn't right so we need to put that straight.

"It wasn't good and we need to show we're over that and that we can perform to the best of our abilities against a team like that.

"They've hit good form but we know how they play and we need to be on our game."

Saidou Khan (knee) and Ryan Johnson (quad) face fitness tests but Sam Corne's knee still isn't right and he's set for a fresh scan.

Saidou Khan faces a fitness test Picture: Matthew Walker

As well as owing Dorking, Hayrettin wants a response after Maidstone's FA Trophy collapse against Concord last weekend.

They led 2-0 but lost 3-2 and Hayrettin said: "We have an honest group of players, hardworking players, and they know as well as I do that Saturday wasn't good enough.

"When you're 2-0 up you expect to win the game but we haven't done that and it's important we bounce back.

"I analyse everything that goes against us and when you concede three goals the way we did, you're going to lose the game.

"We still have good defenders and we have to home in on that and take the positives.

"This is the time of year when we need to push on."

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent

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